By David B. Green, Haaretz
Though the Jerusalem International Book Fair continues through tomorrow morning, it’s possible that last night marked the festival’s climax, as two literary titans – A.B. Yehoshua and Umberto Eco – met and put on a performance for an enthusiastic, overflowing crowd. Read more
The British author Ian McEwan, who received the Jerusalem Prize at this year’s International Book Fair, said he will be donating the $10,000 award to Combatants for Peace.
The group was founded by Palestinians and Israelis who had previously taken an active part in fighting each other. Its representatives said they are committed to working to end the occupation and achieve a two-state solution. Read more
JERUSALEM — Renowned Italian writer Umberto Eco said at an Israeli book fair Wednesday that boycotting scholars for their governments’ policies is akin to racism. Read more
The Jerusalem Post
Ian McEwan Missed the Real Israel
by Gil Troy
The delegitimization campaign tries to rob Israel of its normalcy, poisoning the conversational stream about Israel so everything becomes about settlements, occupation, conflict, violence. This Palestinian conceit makes everything about Israel be about Palestinians, exaggerating their hardships, caricaturing Israelis as uniquely evil, rooting every Middle East problem in one local conflict. Those of us seeking a peaceful two-state solution should explain that both a delegitimized Israel and a Palestinian culture of victimization are obstacles to peace. Woe-is-me self-pity and righteous indignation discourage generosity; feeling demonized or demonizing your enemy prevents compromise. Read more
From Publishers Weekly
by Daisy Maryles
All coverage of the official opening on February 20 of the 25th Jerusalem International Book Fair focused on British author Ian McEwan’s acceptance of the Jerusalem Book Prize,Israel’s highest literary honor. The celebrated author had …read more
There are a dozen events with writers from Germany at the Literary Cafe and booth in Teddy Hall.
Norwegian author Lars Saabye Christensen meets Israeli author and journalist Amichai Shalev at the Literary Café on 22 February 2011 at 16.00. The event is open to the public. After his appearance in the Literary Café Mr. Saabye Christensen will be available for book signing at the Tzomet Sfarim stand. Read more
